INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Net income (loss)	$ 4,330	$ 3,800
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	719	(264)
Allocation to deferred acquisition costs	(14)	82
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments	(36)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes (benefits)	669	(182)
Income taxes (benefits) related to other comprehensive income	286	(57)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	383	(125)
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	4,713	3,675
Comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests:
(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(408)	(616)
Other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Net unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	33	31
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	33	31
Comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests	(375)	(585)
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, attributable to IHC	$ 4,338	$ 3,090